2020 Corvette C8: We Get Our First Peek Inside And It Looks Pretty Good

The Chevrolet Corvette is the brand’s flagship and a halo vehicle for General Motors. Unfortunately, the car’s interior hasn’t reflected its status as one of the company’s premier vehicles.

That’s about to change as we’ve bagged the first revealing interior scoops of the 2020 Corvette. Looking far more luxurious than any of its predecessors, the C8 has an all-new cabin with higher quality materials and a significantly improved design.

Drivers sit behind a new two-spoke steering wheel which is wrapped in leather and features chrome accents as well as a new Corvette insignia. The steering wheel has familiar paddle shifters and some cheaper looking (at least on this prototype) control stalks, but there are also an assortment of new controls for everything from the cruise control system to the wheel’s heater.

New Fully Digital Instrument Panel

Behind the steering wheel is an all-new digital instrument cluster which looks like a big improvement over the current cluster which features analog gauges and a digital display. While the display appears to be decently sized, Chevrolet decided to incorporate some old school vehicle warning lights on a plastic support which is located to the right of the cluster.

A Big Tablet-Style Infotainment Screen

The instrument cluster resides next to a new infotainment system which appears larger than the 8-inch display used in the current Corvette. Beneath the screen is a rotary control knob which is partially covered by an upholstered hand rest.

Little is known about the new infotainment system, but the Cadillac XT4 also has an infotainment system with a rotary dial. However, the Corvette’s system is different as it eschews shortcut buttons for the audio, phone and navigation screens. While the Corvette doesn’t have doesn’t have as many shortcut buttons as the XT4, there’s a home button and a dedicated volume control knob which is located between the instrument cluster and the infotainment system.

Look At That Shifter

To the left of the controller are push button controls for the automatic transmission. They look a little Lamborghini-ish and they’re a significant departure from the C7 which uses a traditional shifter.

Both of the aforementioned controls are mounted on an all-new center console which eschews the cheap plastic of its predecessor for upholstered surfaces which looks significantly more upscale. One of the more unique features about the console is that is broken up into two parts. The driver’s side area of the console acts as armrest, while the second part slopes up at an angle to meet the dashboard.

The buttress is lined with controls and at the very top is a small display which appears to show the current temperature setting. Below it are climate controls and buttons for the heated and ventilated seat. The same setup is echoed at the bottom of the buttress, but in reverse order.

Take A Seat

Speaking of the seats, the ones installed in this prototype are wrapped in black leather and feature heavy bolstering with fabric accents. The seats also have red contrast stitching and an exposed carbon fiber frame that supports the headrests.

Since the 2020 Corvette breaks with tradition and adopts a mid-engine setup, the storage space behind the front seats will be replaced by a bulkhead. The seats themselves seem to be separated by a vertical compartment.

The upscale styling even carries over to the door panels as they are covered in the same material as the center console. While the doors are devoid of traditional trim, they house Bose speakers, push-button handles and a metallic insert that surrounds the window switches.

This Is What It’ll Look Like On The Outside

Rendering Copyright Carscoops / Josh Byrnes

The interior won’t be the only new about the 2020 Corvette as model will feature a radically different exterior. Previous spy photos have shown the C8 will have a more aggressive front fascia which a central V-shaped support which is flanked by large intakes that feed air to the car’s cooling system. The model will also have a front splitter and slender headlights.

The sides of the Vette reveal some of the biggest changes as the model has a shorter hood and angular bodywork which directs air into the massive side scoops. The rear end is a bit more evolutionary as the 2020 Corvette has a new spoiler and a center-mounted diffuser. The latter change means the model will now have a more traditional four-tailpipe exhaust system with two sets of pipes located near the outside edges of the car.

Exotic Materials And A Mid-Engine Layout Scream Supercar

Chevrolet has been tight-lipped about specifications, but previous reports have suggested the car will ride on an aluminum space frame and use some carbon fiber and magnesium to reduce weight. Despite these weight saving measures, the C8 is expected to be heavier than its predecessor.

To counteract the weight gain, the model is expected to have an upgraded 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces around 500 hp (372 kW / 507 PS). It could be paired exclusively to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, but a recent patent application suggests a manual might also be in the works.

While the 6.2-liter V8 sounds like a pretty safe bet, the remaining engine lineup is a bit more mysterious. However, rumors have suggested there will be an all-new 5.5-liter V8 which will be offered in naturally aspirated and twin-turbo guise. We’ve also heard some additional mentions of a 5.5-liter V8, but getting multiple sources to confirm it has been a challenge.

Specifications remain unconfirmed, but rumors have suggested the naturally-aspirated 5.5-liter V8 will produce at least 600 hp (447 kW / 608 PS) and have a redline that is just shy of 9,000 rpm. The twin-turbo engine, on the other hand, is rumored to have around 800 hp (596 kW / 811 PS).

We Could Get A 1,000-HP Variant

Of course, there have also been rumors about hybrid model which features the twin-turbo V8 as well an electric motor that powers the front wheels. If the rumors are to be believed, the all-wheel drive supercar could have a combined output of around 1,000 hp (745 kW / 1,013 PS).

So terminating almost every franchise is now just considered an amicable takeover?

Mike anonymous

Woah,..timeout. I never said it was amicable.

Blake Tomlinson

Well, you can have Mexicans build you a Corvette and have an American pay for .But it’s the same thing, isn’t it?

Dude

The center console is designed for people who really don’t like their passengers lol

lagunas3ca

You like to stare at your passenger’s feet or something?

Dude

Hey some of us don’t always drive alone and want to feel close to our passengers.

Even outside of the passengers if something falls of the seat into the footwell you’ll definitely have to get out of the car.

iea96

Um.. No it doesn’t?

Merc1

That is stunning for a GM vehicle. It looks like they’re finally going to use some quality plastics and leather in the Corvette. Now I’m excited.

M

Denzel

It’s going to be expensive! But the Corvette has always been a performer so I’m not worried about that.

Ohnjay Uchmansay

Thump thump goes the heart.

Matteo Tommasi

It’s going to be 150k for the base model, with this interior

ErnieB

Yeah.. no way it’s going to be under $70k with that level of interior. Who ever complains about cheap looking corvette interiors is seriously insane.

ace_9

I’m probably the only one that liked the old, unsophisticated corvette. Even the current generation is too high-tech and luxurious.

TheHunnn

I love my C6 and even at that, it’s an early model. Just enough tech (some aftermarket) to keep it useful, but in the end, it’s still a big ass motor with some wheel around it.

ace_9

Yes, I feel that a powerful engine in the front with some wheels and bodywork for a very reasonable price would be much better than Huracan competitor…

Andrewthecarguy

That interior is hot, period dot. The outside looks like a Ferrari that wanted to be a Lambo. Either way, the Corvette continues to be a supercar-like machine for a lot less money than the competition. I bet FCA wished they had been more radical with the Viper.

Jason Panamera

First interior of Corvette which i like.

Section147

@Jason Panamera Then you obviously haven’t spent much time in a C7…

Nordschleife

I definitely agree with this but I will say it was something about the old 93 ZR1 that I licked in my infancy

no25

First interior of a GM model that I actually like**

ErnieB

Yup.. that is not a $60k interior.. damn it it’s too fancy!! This car is going to be expensive .. that just looks money!!

Matt

The design is futuristic but the materials look cheap. The steering wheel leather looks nasty and shiny, for example.

ErnieB

Upon closer inspection you have a point.. I hope it’s a pre production thing. Alcantera would be appropriate for a high end interior..also the tolerances seem off.

Mike anonymous

Also if you look around you’ll notice that some buttons just are not there (where there should be a button there’s just an empty hole) so it’s likely just a pre-production thing, I agree.

Toronado_II

Anything but ordinary !

Mike anonymous

TAKE… MY… MONEY….

Mike anonymous

To be honest. This interior looks a lot more like something that just came directly out of Jaguar, opposed to Chevrolet (I mean to be honest, it’s nicer than anything I have EVER even seen come out of Cadillac). This vehicle truly is a new ‘breed’ for Chevrolet.

(Considering the corvette) is one of their hottest (and best selling) models, it is no surprise that Chevrolet is going to go above and beyond the call of duty with this vehicle, especially considering the 50+ year wait some have actually been waiting for this.

I Can not say thing enough, but THIS is how you do ‘Highly Anticipated’, RIGHT.

ErnieB

Agreed! Apparently Toyota didn’t get the memo..

Joe Hamby

How are you suppose to get road head with the center divider?

donald seymour

WHY? Laugh out Loud.

ErnieB

Valid point here!! Definitely a possible design flaw.

Mike anonymous

I’m not sure I agree 100% about the exterior, I will wait until the camo comes off to make a final judgement, but I’m with you all the way on that interior.

Brent Morrison

GM is not American anymore after what they did.

matrem

What did they do?

CADILLAC LMP

Corvette and Cadillac are both Global and American !

tk77

I’m not sure if I’m just in the minority, but I really hope the this winds up being a higher end option or a completely separate model and that there continues to be a FR version. I much prefer the look of the FR design to that of MR.

If there will indeed be no more FR model in the future, my ’18 GS might just be my last vette.

donald seymour

No, I don’t think you are in the minority, because reading many comments at least on this site is that the general consensus is we want Corvette to be a brand and not just one singular car. And from reading many articles I believe that this is Chevy’s intent as well.

SgtBeavis

hahaha, I wrote my comment and then read yours.

How’s that for proof that tk77 is not the minority.

tk77

lol, indeed its good to hear that.

tk77

That would work for me as well. Hopefully that is the route they go.

Jeffrey Bohemier

While we’re at it, let’s make Silverado a brand as well. From a financial point of view, that would certainly make better sense than having Corvette as a brand. How many Corvettes do you think GM sells each year? It’s always ALWAYS been a low production model, even on really good years. Certainly not enough to turn it into a brand…unless you’re trying to destroy the Corvette all together. GM doesn’t do very well when it comes to adding brands to their portfolio. Anyone remember Saturn? Saab? Oldsmobile? Pontiac? How about Holden? Opel? I’d hate to see Corvette become another GM has been. But that’s EXACTLY WHAT’LL HAPPEN if GM were to make Corvette a brand.

donald seymour

I really see your point and I really do believe that it is valid; however, I don’t believe that it applies to Corvette. Because Corvette is actually a brand marque. So, the chances of success with Corvette vs Pontiac are far more greater. I personally believe that Corvette could pull this off.

SgtBeavis

You are not even close to being in the minority.

I’m still thinking the C7 will be produced beside the C8. I think there is a real chance that GM may introduce this as the start of an all new Corvette brand with 3 or 4 models. The only downside is that they’ll also produce a Corvette crossover.

Six_Tymes

you own a GS? better hold onto that and pass it onto your kid or kids if you have any, thats going to be a collectors cars even if EV’s take over

baofe

Ok great thanks.

Honda NSX-R

Holy shit, that’s like a Mercedes interior! Not even Cadillacs are this nice 😲

Mike Hoffman

What on God’s green Earth are you talking about boy

Stigasawuswrecks

If someone told me that this was the interior of MB’s next sports car I would’ve believed them. This is nice.

Leconte Dave

Check engine light already

Rob Glover

I feel like people who dis the C7 interior or instrument cluster have no direct experience with it. This prototype is not a radical improvement over the C7 – it’s more like a logical, incremental improvement.
Also, there are many of us who hate, hate, HATE flat-bottomed steering wheels. Please Chevy, make that optional.

Still everyone hated it.. yet it is one of the best looking corvettes to ever come out of Detroit.. I love the C7 myself .. give this an iteration or two and it’ll be killer as well!

Section147

MICHGO, I agree that losing the round tails is what pissed off the majority of the naysayers. And ErnieB…I don’t agree that “everyone” hated it. I remember much of the public swooning over the design of the C7 (in & out), and rightfully so. It brought a LOT of new people into the Corvette camp. On the other hand, I DO agree with you that the C8 will grow on folks as time goes on. That said, if it looks as fat in person as it does in the drawings, I won’t be one of those people. 😉

Jeffrey Bohemier

Actually, the C5 had a much better looking rear end. The C6 looked too tall. And the C7 looked like a conglomeration of too many different design elements, none which belong on a Corvette. Just like the Porsche 911, a Corvette needs to look like a Corvette regardless of the model year. This new rear engined design DOESN’T LOOK LIKE A CORVETTE. I’ll gladly pass on it.

Nordschleife

No worries Ernie we all know that “everyone” didn’t hate it but you meant it as the majority of people. I understood what you meant and I agree.

ErnieB

Thank you for your understanding.. it just took some getting used to.

Jeffrey Bohemier

They need to bring back the trademark taillights…and curved rear glass.

Emoto

Split window!

Jeffrey Bohemier

I still hate it. I didn’t trade up because of that ugly rear end. It ruined the car.

nogeeksadmin

Agree and I’ve always found front-engined Ferraris sexier as well.

Six_Tymes

fatter and wider than Beyonce’s? not possible

Section147

🤣

Six Thousand Times

I have no problem with Bey’s ass.

Section147

No worries…to each his own! Some guys just love giant fat asses covered in cottage cheese cellulite!

Six Thousand Times

She’s actually in pretty good shape and I appreciate having something substantial to bounce off of.

ErnieB

Why ya gotta body shame this Vette that’s not even out yet.. yeeesssh..lol

Jeffrey Bohemier

The ass end of the C7 looks like shit, especially with those stupid taillights and black panel that takes up the lower half.

Section147

Wow. Prices on Lasik have dropped quite a bit over the last five years. Look into it.

I am sure it’s the angle but doesn’t that center rotary shifter thing look too close to the wall? What if you have elephant fingers? Would it be uncomfortable?

gabe beaudry

Now they just need to do the same with the new Silverado and it will be competitive

Jared

You all are morons if you think Chevrolet is going to do away with the front engine Vette. They may be adding a mid-engine car to their line up, but they will not be getting rid of what got them to this point. They would lose too much money.

Jason Panamera

Little red Corvette 😉

Jeffrey Bohemier

I certainly wouldn’t miss the cheap interior, but the practicality will most certainly be missed. I’d rather the engine stayed in the front.

Anonimmo

I’m gonna sell my Porsche and get one of these.

Bash

Wait, what! R u serious? I mean the Porsche is iconic. Now the corvette is too but I still have a problem with the rear engine part. They shouldn’t have gone that way, or at least make a different separate one. I would take a Porsche over this any day.

ErnieB

Well this will grab more attention for sure. At least where I live a Porsche is as common as a Prius .. this will grab more attention especially from non car people that’ll think it’s an exotic. If that’s what you are going for then this will be the car at a “relatively low” price. Me personally, I’d stay with the Porsche and at least lease one of these toys..

Mike anonymous

The Upscale Interior, the design, etc. There are a lot of elements that pay homage to the late Zora Arkus-Duntov hence the “C8 Zora” name tag. A Mid-Engine Corvette was essentially his dream and his dying wish to the company.

So (and I essentially said this (the following) in a comment below (somewhere down there) but,) GM/Chevrolet is really going to give it their all (or at least their best yet so far) with this vehicle in dedication to him. They started working on this around 2006/2007, and they had already finalized exterior design at that point.
They then stopped to work on the C7 (which borrowed design from the C8 (I know it’s weird, because the C8 is coming out now after the C7)) as they though the C8 may have been too much of a risk, back in 2013 when the C7 was the biggest design change to Corvette in nearly 10/15+ years.

Originally I wasn’t super happy about the fact we were getting the Mid-Engine C8, but then when I hear about it’s relation to Zora, and dug a little bit deeper, I began to get more and more excited for this vehicle.
Now would I sell my Porsche (if owned said Porsche), well (if it’s not a 911, 918, or Carrera GT, then sure, but if those are what I’m selling to get the C8…)… eehhh, maybe I’ll get back to you on that one Bash (lol).

There were people in their 20s’ anticipating the arrival of this vehicle, those same teens and 20 somethings who are now coming up on their 80s’ (50+ years). So while I am not sure I’d sell the Porsche, I am glad we are at least getting this C8 now, and am Glad Zora is finally getting his wish.

Also there’s some hidden text for you here bash (vvv)
P.S. (aside from figuring out how to do cool ‘hidden’ stuff (aka: ‘Bat-tricks’) with the text), I do agree in that; it would have been nice to see this Mid Engine C8 and C7 (or maybe a C8 & C9) be sold side by side in the future. But Hey, who knows, maybe that’s what we’ll get.).

Bash

I really want to see both the mid engine c8 sold side by side with the -original layout- maybe c9 as you said, but I’m not sure if there is a demand for two corvettes. They have made a decision to make the c8 as rear engine to further apart the performance similarities between it and the camaro which year by year is getting better and better. And man, thanks for the valuable info, I’m really enjoy reading your comments and learning a lot from them.

Mike anonymous

Yeah, I am also not sure if there would be a demand for two corvettes, although I currently feel as though they may just sell the C7 along side the C8 until the phase the C7 out. But in the future there could be the C8 & C9 (just a theory, but one that could be likely). Either way, I agree with you all of the way.

Also, your welcome & no problem. I’m glad that you like reading what I write, it makes my day to hear that you enjoy doing so. I guess I enjoy reading your comments as well, they make me smile. Anyways, hope your having a great year/month/week/(all of-past present & future inter-density space time), and day Bash. 🙂

Matthew Daraei

Okay, go and sell it!

Bash

Nice, really I love the interior.

Astonman

Can’t wait to see the interior in red. Already looks a hundred times better. reminds me of one of the interior concepts I saw.

Christopher Yurgal

That actually makes them more American, right?

Dude

Exactly

john1168

A new 6.2L V8 LT1 (550hp) should go in the updated C7 where the new 5.5L n/a V8 (600hp) should be the base engine in the C8 with the twin turbo 5.5 (800hp) should be the mid level with the 5.5TT hybrid (100+hp) AWD being the top level C8.

Dwight Looi

The C8 (base model) is definitely a Pushrod and, no, it is DEFINITELY not 5.5L.

Jeffrey Bohemier

We already have. It’s called the Ford GT.

ErnieB

Any it’s a work of art. It’s on whole different level at least design wise.

Bash

I agree. I know that the new rear engine corvette will be cool and all. The interior alone says and looks and oozing coolness and all. But I never seen any reason for a rear engine variant of it. I said that before and will say it again, I don’t see any soul in it. Because the true essence and basic principle of a corvette has always been a front engine long hood, and now they took it from it that’s what I think in my mind makes it loose it’s soul/essence!! I like it, but it’s not a corvette anymore, it’s something else.

ErnieB

I love this but the Ford GT is just a work of art and engineering that will be hard to top by another American auto maker..

BlackPegasus

I’m stunned at the level of upscale design and luxurious surfaces incorporated into this new corvette, but WHY does the steering wheel look so cheap and nasty. The stitching seems out of place and incongruent with the rest of the interior. And why does the leather on the wheel look so shiny?

ErnieB

1. It’s probably the lowest trim and sure there will be an alcantara option . 2. It’s a preproduction test car that’s been used a bit.

The Corvette always had junk looking steering wheels after the early 1070s till now! It is just tradition now.

cbATL

Jesus Christ hangin’ off the f’en cross – I would sell my balls for this.

ErnieB

If it’s in $150k range it’ll have some really tough competition with really high end interiors and pedigree. I’d personally get this over an NSX, but an R8..nope..my guess base spec will be $70-$80k..

no25

Yeah, I don’t think *McLaren* has anything to worry about.

SteersUright

Looks like a huge step in the right direction outside of the shiny, cheap looking black leather, hard black and silver plastic trim that have no place on a high end steering wheel. Also, the ill fitting compartment behind the shift lever(?), somewhat sloppy looking stitching and way the different panels meet is more Lotus or kit-car than Audi, that’s for certain.

ErnieB

My same observation, but I thought it was just due to it being a prototype. They definitely need to address that.

Gabe

Not to be a grammar nazi, but this article has so many errors that it’s tough to read. Remember, always spell check. Nothing is so urgent that you can’t make it legible.

Paul

It’s purty nice.

Mark Seven-Ultranine

Here’s a thought: If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. And stop reading articles and posting about it.

Angel R Garcia

Who cares??; No manual trans: this car is no different than the rest of the over priced junk thats out there.

Im a buyer GM but you need to make it manual like a true sportcars. Screw these crybabies who cant drive and their auto trans.

You will lose any hope of market share with a price tag like everyone else and no manual transmission.

Dwight Looi

There is a reason nobody uses manual transmissions in top performance cars. It is SLOW. It doesn’t matter how good you are rowing the gear box. It is SLOW.

It is SLOW because there is a practical limit to how many gears you can put on a manual shift gate before it becomes the Peterbilt Driving Experience. It is SLOW because you cannot operate two clutch pedals at the same time unless you grow a third leg. It is SLOW because you cannot have a very high torque gearbox without very heavy or very long clutch actions.

Even a torque converter automatic is about 3 tenths of second faster to 60 mph in a 400~500 hp car against a manual with the most highly skilled driver. In practical usage, even torque converter automatics are about a full second faster because the manual driver wants to be “kind” to his tranny, relying on patience rather than synchros on upshifts. Automated Dual Clutch boxes are even faster.

Harry_Wild

Looks like The C8 will being RWD only. Great news for muscle car enthusiasts!

MakeMargaritasNotWar

How do you know there isn’t an electric assist on the front wheels like the NSX?

My guess is not but how can you tell?

Harry_Wild

People who own rear drive sport cars drive it usually for the weekends. Not for daily driver or for the groceries or home improvement store.

john1168

From what I’ve been reading, Cadillac helped out with the design of the interior.

Bo Hanan

And that’s the problem.

Benjamin B.

The interior looks cheaps from these photos. I’m still impressed by the alleged NA 5.5L engine’s 600 HP. Wouldn’t that be the most powerful NA engine? In a production car at least?

Bo Hanan

Looks like a cheap luxury car and not a performance car. And that strip with all the buttons will be the first thing recalled when the car is introduced.

Dwight Looi

Not really… The Viper’s pushrod engine already made 640 hp NA 6 years ago. Yes, it’s a V10. yes, it’s 8.4 liters. But you said “most power NA engine in a product car”.

Emoto

Storage question. And, yes, I know one doesn’t buy a Corvette for trips to buy sheet rock at Home Depot. At any rate, Do we have any reason to believe (beyond mere hope) that the front “hood” will open up to reveal a compartment that could fit a weekend bag? Or, that there might be a small compartment aft of the engine?

john1168

To me, this is a good question. Corvettes are known as sports cars that you can have fun with at the track but they’re also known as grand tourers. Where you can get in the car, load a couple of golf club bags or a couple of bags of luggage and go somewhere in it. From what I understand, it will have SOME storage. But how much remains to be seen. I highly doubt it will be as much as in the C7 but we’ll see I guess.

MakeMargaritasNotWar

Weekend bag goes in the trunk behind the engine bay.

Emoto

Can you please share what makes you so sure of that?

MakeMargaritasNotWar

Almost all rear-mid engine cars are that way. Remember it isn’t a rear-engine like a 911. It is a rear mid-engine like a NSX. The NSX whether 1991 or 2017, has a small trunk behind the engine compartment.

Emoto

Do they? That’s good. What is usually beneath the hood/bonnet of mid-engined cars?

MakeMargaritasNotWar

Radiator. You have to guess that for sure for the C8 with that bump they have in the camouflage to let air out. Maybe the gas tank is forward but I haven’t noticed the filler.

Emoto

And nothing else?

MakeMargaritasNotWar

I don’t know, maybe an electric drive system for the front wheels so that it is AWD. Who knows. All I know for sure is that if it is mid engine, there is a heck of a lot of space between where the center of the rear wheels are located and the rear bumper/facia. So, trunk.

Emoto

Not saying you’re incorrect, but I just scanned through the gallery of “spy shots” above to see if I could spot body panel gaps indicative of a rear trunk. The camo makes it a little hard, but it appears as though the whole back top panel, from just forward of the spoiler, is a panel that presumably lifts up. Didn’t see any gaps that indicated a separate opening for a rear trunk, though there could be one.

Maybe there will be enough room under the front lid to store something; the panel opening is not tiny.

MakeMargaritasNotWar

Maybe. A lot of rear mid engines have one lift gate but two areas, an engine bay and a trunk. You can search NSX Trunk and see what I mean. That said cars like the 348 Ferrari had the trunk in the front.

I think it may need both

Mark Hawthorne

I think your Ferrari knowledge ended in the 90s. All of the mid engines cars since the 355 have no rear trunk. Few others do either.

Dwight Looi

The Child Seat goes in the Front Trunk. 20″ panoramic LCD for the kid to see outside and a baby monitor for the Driver Optional!